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Re the scrums: Firstly, it would be madness to drop Skelton for the rest of the tour just because of his poor scrummaging performance. If we took that approach Alexander would have retired from test rugby 4 years ago. Hell Simmons was a weak scrummaging lock when he started out. When I...

I picked my team based on us aiming to win all games on tour, and that the game against the French will most likely be our easiest game on tour. And that's not to say we should be underestimating the french. I'm not suggesting we rest or rotate players. Speight has shown to be a step above our...

The first scrum Skelton had last night was good. He got good, low body positioning and the scrum was actually moving forward, but after about 10 minutes of play his scrum positioning went to shit. Im guessing partly a fatigue thing coupled with lack of concentration. I'm not so sure Skelton's...

I agree that Skelton that was very poor in the scrums but that's a technique issue that he can work on during the week. Scrum aside, I thought Skelton actually made a very positive impact on us in general play in the last 30 minutes, mostly in attack. We started to roll over the advantage line...

I thought the Irish played exceptionally well. had some luck go their way. It was a good day at the office for Ireland, and the boks on the other hand weren't at their best. The irish were under a lot of pressure for large portions of the game. Had to defend a lot and were under pressure in the...

thoughts on a rewatch. - Defensive and attacking structure in the first half was very poor. No doubt due to the new structures Cheika and Grey are implementing. much better in the second half. - Fainga'a had another great game. worked hard at the ruck, and walked the line expertly. Managed to...

-thought Cheika got the balance of the pack wrong. Not enough go forward. McMahon to the bench for me. - When Skelton came on, Marto wouldn't stop going on about how skelton's weight in the scrums would improve the scrum. The opposite was actually true. The scrum went to shit when he came on...

thought Genia was pretty poor when he came on. He should fall out of the 23 with that performance.

I'm calling it now. Wallabies to lose this game by less than 15

I never "declared" 12 was a defensive position, I merely pointed out that in my opinion strong defence in the 12 channel will be paramount against the Welsh and we have dropped our best defensive back.

I tend to think midfield defence will be crucial to winning this game. Gatland is nothing if not predictable. He'll rely heavily on his big centres to get him over the line. With Davis out, North comes in. To'omua's attack from inside centre this season hasn't been great, but he's been rock solid...

Seriously I don't understand how Lilo starts ahead of To'omua. Surely we want our best defensive centre against Jamie Roberts, who will be their main source of attack. Didn't Lilo play opposite Roberts in the third Lions game?! Tomane ahead of Horne and Speight is another head scratcher...

Don't like this team at all. The pack looks light weight. We'll probably give up 40kg to the Welsh 8. To'omua is dropped completely from the 23 despite the fact that he's our best defensive centre and Wales will clearly be looking to bash it up at 12/13. Tomane over Speight?! Faulkner in but...

Agree with this to a point but also agree with Scrubbers comment. Seems to me it is pretty clear from the rugby we have seen in 2014 (mostly at Super level) that we have enough talent to challenge the best teams next year. IMO the biggest hurdles to turning the wallabies into a RWC contender...

:mad: Shaping as one of the best games of the autumn internationals (likely World Cup final next year) and its on Setanta. FFS

tactically the welsh should be fairly predictable. They'll have Roberts and North smash it up all night. Should play into our hands really.

With Higgers out, I'd opt for Jones with McMahon on the bench. The extra lock will theoretically strengthen the set piece - which should be our concern

Alexander is a decent enough back-up test prop when in good form. Problem is his form at the moment is absolute rubbish and has been since the second half of the Super season. I really hope he gets his mojo back next year. As it stands if Kepu goes down injured in 2015 we might as well not...

I thought North was being talked of for centre. Replacement for Jonathan Davis possibly.

yes no way was Speight "poor". He had one bad defensive miss read but was otherwise solid and seemed to move over the gain line well enough. For a guy who's having his first top level game for a few months it was pretty good really. He played literally one game of NRC footy since returning from...